GOP Counts 84 'Requires' in House Democrats' Healthcare Bill

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Believe it or not Hillary, but you are pretty close to the nail head with your post. The problems your common sense approach will run into is the sector of the population which feels that it pays too much already for things it does not want. You know that group. The young people who do not want to pay for medi-care or the older folks who don't wish to pay for schools. And of course the tea baggers and their ilk who scream socialism, socialism. Yet they really have no clue what socialism is, because it's so much easier to frighten people with crap instead of informing them with facts. If everyone took a second and saw what insurance companies have done to the American health system and to business in this country, more people would adopt your point of view. Insurance companies have no incentive what so ever to alter their business model, and with the millions of dollars they have spent buying up legislators, they have no one pushing them. Yes, our legislators, be they Democrat or Republican have been bought and payed for. In our country's founding days when a politician or community big wig stepped out of line and harmed the community while benefiting themself " We The People" would rise up. That scoundrel would be dragged to the village square and then tarred and feathered. Maybe what "We The People" should do is start plucking chickens.

JDZ57 of WI 8:17AM September 18, 2009

Oh. My. God. Why don't we all just contribute a certain percentage of our income to a health care fund that can be used by everybody? We are making it so complicated just to avoid putting the health insurance industry out of business. The health insurance industry represents a middleman. It doesn't actually deliver care. Furthermore, it's failed miserably in stated mission. Who cares if they go out of business?

Hilary of CA 9:01PM September 16, 2009

Those who said we can't afford universal healthcare didn't get the memo that the U.S. already spends more on healthcare than any nation of the world. It's bankrupting people and businesses. There's tons of bureaucracy in the system, mostly to find a reason to deny you care to save the insurers money. All the ills you accuse of a government-run system, we already have tenfold, not by the government, but by private insurers. We all get sick, and we think it's okay for people to profit ridiculously for it. Wake up America.

Somebody of NY 8:31PM September 16, 2009

1. Drop the restrictions for state lines so that we can get insurance from any state.
2. Health Savings Accounts, tax free.
3. No public option, medicare is bancrupt, so is medicaide. Why would we want that? Then, adding all the 45 Million, 30 Million or 15 Million, depending on who you talk to, where are all the doctors for that? Doctors have stated if their fees go down, they quit, so... rationing will be inherent in the plan.

Greg of FL 6:17PM September 16, 2009

UK, Canada and other 1st world countries have GOVT provided health care system that works. That doesn’t make them socialists. I have lived in Canada for 1/2 of my life, even though I didn't really like their HIGH tax system. Now after living in US and experiencing this horrible health care system, I thank the Canadian GOVT and pioneers of Canada for adopting such a system, where peoples' lives/deaths are not controlled by the Insurance policy (Hence Insurance Co).
First I want to clear out few points about myself. If the GOVT passes this healthcare bill and impose fine on people without healthcare, my income level will force me to buy health coverage out of my pocket (I work as a consultant). So I have nothing to gain from this.
You may or may not agree with me, and everyone is entitled to their opinion. Health care is should be a basic human right (It's not a privilege; a privilege is you having a choice between FORD and BMW. NOT between death and life). And it should be provided to citizens of a developed country by any means necessary. Otherwise you might as well be a citizen of a 3rd world country (where most of the people) can't afford to have health care or their GOVT can't provide it to them, they don't (can't) do it NOT because they will become a socialist country, but rather because they can't afford to. It's neither a crime nor a choice to be poor; it's unfortunate. What’s more unfortunate is though, when 45 Million (almost 15% of a 1st world country (USA) doesn't have (for whatever the reason maybe) health coverage.
When you live in Canada; it's true you pay more taxes, but is it worth it? EVERY PENNY. It doesn't matter whether you get fever or an open heart surgery. YOU won't have to worry about whether your Insurance plan will cover this or that? Was that a pre-existing condition? Will the Insurance Co will approve the surgery? And none of the fine prints of insurance company policies, that gives them the RIGHT to be GOD and decide on peoples' lives.
I don't have a problem with, nor care about the insurance companies. But from what I see and hear from people, that most of the times they suffer because their insurance policy won't cover this surgery or that medication. Why do I need an insurance plan, that won't be there when it’s needed the most, when people are dwelling for their lives?
Like I mentioned before I am not advocating for any groups. I am advocating for the cause. The way I see it, there are two groups of people who opposes the universal healthcare plan. 1.Insurance co. and their friends 2.People who have no idea what it is?
62% of America's Bankruptcy related to health care costs? We are talking about $1Trillion over 10 years. How much do you think the health premiums will go up in 10 year? How much did the Iraq war costs and why? You have to start thinking for yourself your future, don’t just believe what they show on TV. THINK PEOPLE, THINK about it. Oneday you might face the same situation like the poor.

Sam of ND 5:25PM September 16, 2009

I am not against universal health care but, our country in no way is capable of handling such a venture at this time. I come from a family of nurses and see what is going on in hospitals now. There is no way that they are equipped to take on added influx or are their enough doctors to take care of all people. I also know people in other countries who have died because of their health care systems. One was 60 and they wouldn't replace her hip after she fell and broke it because she was "old". She died because she was immobile and the other person I know of (through friends) was 25. She went in for a pap at 18 and they said they pushed the age for annual paps to 20. She went back and 20 and they told her they had moved it to 25. She started having problems at 23 and ended up with cervical cancer, something that easily would have been detected if she had been able to have a routine pap when she should have. Universal doesn't mean better than what we have now. In the newest proposal they are adding over 350 billion in new taxes. I for one am taxed out and cannot afford more taxes. One day it would be wonderful to have, but I do not believe now is the time.

Lolo of NY 4:48PM September 16, 2009

In a recent survey 73% of all doctors surveyed favored healthcare reform, the majority of Americans favor healthcare reform. You either don't pay your own healthcare, or are not an employer. I am both, and if we don't get healthcare reform, THAT will bankrupt this country, not reform. We spend twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other nation on earth and we still do not provide the best healthcare. That is a crime & a pity!

justiceserved of NJ 4:34PM September 16, 2009

Amazing lack of understanding by USNews - or an effort that shows a bias toward putting GOP assertions out as if they are truth - even down to the attempted implications. The implication that there are 84 new substantive laws that individuals - or companies - must now obey is wrong. Have you ever counted the number of regulations a state puts on an insurance policy - counting every provision as a new "require"? Yet those "reguires" result in near zero regulation of insurance. The Senate Bill is a profit protection and increase in profit guarantee act for insurance companies - with no public plan to control the insurance companies and with no new regulatory agency to have regulatory oversight over insurance - and still the GOP will not sign on. Perhaps in future years you could hire reporters that are educated - or allow unbiased reports to get into print.

papau of MA 4:33PM September 16, 2009

When will we stop subsidizing corporate profits in this country. We all saw what happens when greed overtakes responsibility. I have been in corporate america my 18-years of employment and have always had incurance till about 2 months ago when i was laid off. This is the first time in my life I have had to confront the cost of health insurance. When i hear people say there is nothing wrong with our health insurnace system, I feel like walking up to them and shaking them till they wake up. Insurance companies only insure younger americans while leaving the older (65 years & up), care needing group to Medicare. Even among this younger group they pick and choose who they want to insure. Have you looked at what it costs to get a decent insurance these days?
With this new legislation coming out of the senate they ought to name it "Health Insurance Profit Protection Bill", because it mandates everyone to sign up without a mechanism to keep em honest. Isnt this what we are all fighting for? A system thats fair and equitable that is not gamed by the big corporations. When will my fellow americans wake up and realize that this country has been taken over by special interest groups? As a life long republican and now an independent I have decided enough is enough.

Sam of GA 4:27PM September 16, 2009

We, as a family, plan to change our vote to the Republican Party and conservative Independent candidates. The Democratic Party plan for health care seems to be one to bankrupt the country and force Americans to do what they say.

Larry of FL 3:59PM September 16, 2009